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 Freeport,
Grand Bahama - Queen
Of The Bahamas ~ by Joan Harris - For those of you who have not yet
experienced the delights of this fascinating Island I offer a brief background.
Freeport is situated on Grand Bahama Island, the northernmost of the Bahamian
Islands and only 60 miles from Palm Beach. It is nearly l00 miles long
and part of the 700 Islands of the Bahamas known in the main as “cays”.
The beaches on the south side consist of seemingly endless bountiful bays
of soft sifting silver sand with the ocean ranging through shades of ultramarine,
turquoise and palest blue. April/04
Investment & Travel - Investment & Travel - Dialing for dollars in Brazil & Feasts and finds in Nassau Launching a new life on the high seas - Home aboard Eris Island - by Kiana Delamare, "Now we live in an even more magical place called Eris Island, a 50-foot sloop. As I write, we're poised to set sail for the Bahamas, waiting for clear weather so we might embark on the Caribbean adventure we've been dreaming of, and planning for. We've been working up to this moment for some years, in fact." Life on Eris Island, part 3 - Setting sail at long last: glorious days in the Bahamas - Marsh Harbour is a place that feels welcoming and safe. Unlike in Nassau and Freeport, there are no big-city bright lights, no fancy resorts or casinos, and, most important of all, no threat of violent crime. At home aboard Eris Island, afloat in the Bahamas, I have finally arrived in the world of my dreams. by Kiana Delamare Living
In The Bahamas ~ The
Early 1960s ~ by Joan Harris - I was surprised and flattered when I
was asked to continue with some of my reminiscences of Rudder Cut Cay in
the 1960’s. Here are a few more and some “less than” magical memories.
Feb/04
Magical
Memories Of An Isolated Desert Island Idyll - All
Free Of Tax ~ by Joan Harris - Seymour (my husband) and I had
become disenchanted with our hectic lives in Westminster, London where
we had worked for 15 years so were ready for the challenge of a desert
island which we purchased in March, 1962. It was named Rudder Cut Cay in
the Southern Bahamas and consisted of 363 virgin acres. I was thrilled
with the seemingly endless white sandy beaches, the turquoise ocean
and was blissfully unaware of the daunting problems which faced us. Seymour,
now retired, was a Civil Engineer/Architect who relished the prospect of
complete freedom and building without impediment or restrictions. Nonetheless,
I was faced with the more mundane matters of ordering non-perishable
food in sufficient quantities to last us for our initial four-month sojourn.
Dec./03
Seminar Announcement: the 15th Annual Premier Offshore Advantage Seminar Join us May 17-20, 2000 at the Sheraton Grande Hotel in Paradise Island, The Bahamas and build a fortress around your wealth. Hear from 32 international experts on offshore trusts, IBCs, banking, investing and taxes. You'll meet and talk with some of the world's leading offshore bankers, attorneys and financiers, experts from the Caribbean, Switzerland, and Austria, special workshops on asset protection, banking privacy and global wealth. 2 days of seminars + 2 days of interactive workshops. Make your reservations NOW. In the US toll free: 1 800 992-0205 or call 410-223-2645. E-mail: mwhetstine@agora-inc.com - So,
You Want To Move To The Bahamas ~ Through
The Eyes Of A Transplanted American ~ by David Reeve - I have compiled
the following pages for your enjoyment, with the help from my wife Andria.
She is a native born Bahamian, who spent 25 years living in the United
States, while I am an American.I wrote this E-Book it to assist people
who might desire to move to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and to better
understand the people and lifestyle. The Bahamas consists of over 700 islands
of which approximately 34 are inhabited. June/04
16th Annual Premier Offshore Advantage Seminar - 16th Annual Premier Offshore Advantage Seminar - The 16th Annual Premier Offshore Advantage Seminar is hosted by two of the world's most powerful private financial alliances - The Sovereign Society and The Oxford Club. Those who attend the conference will have the opportunity to meet and learn from over 20 international advisors. Some of those present include J. Richard Duke JD; privacy expert and editor of The Sovereign Individual, Mark Nestmann; Peter Zipper, Senior Vice President of Anglo Irish Bank - Austria; Jack Sturgis, Vice President of DEXIA Banque á Luxembourg; Michael Checkan, President of Asset Strategies International; Bob Bauman, former U.S. Congressman and offshore author and A-Letter editor; C.A. Green, Investment Director for the Oxford Club -- plus many more. The cost of this four-day, event-filled seminar starts at $945 and will be held on May 16-20, 2001 in the Bahamas.
The
Caribbean's Last Frontier: Great-Value Investment and Lifestyle Opportunities
in Honduras' Bay Islands - Honduras
Bay Islands - The Caribbeans Last Fronteir - If you've always dreamed
of owning a Caribbean escape, a place you can retreat to a few weeks or
a few months a year… maybe full-time eventually, I have good news for you:
It's not too late to make a smart investment in the Bay Islands of Honduras.
By
Barbara Perriello - May/04
A
Paradise On Water ~ Talking
With Expats In Bocas Del Toro ~ By Zvia Leibler-Danon - There has been
a lot of talk over the past few years about Bocas del Toro, located on
Panama's northeastern Caribbean coast. A number of expats are now fulfilling
their dream of living in a tropical paradise by buying property in Bocas.
Find out what it takes to make it in Bocas and what is daily life like
for expats who have made it their home. The water, the sun and the forest
are attracting people all the time. See if Bocas is a place you might want
to settle down in for a couple or years or a spot where you might want
to own some land. June/03
An Article on Bocas Del Toro by Roger Gallo - Get Out Of The Market Get Into Land! - The Best Real Estate Investment I've Seen In Twenty Years! In Bocas Del Toro ~ Waterfront land for $5,000 per acre! Plus it has a cash-flow, with both Noni and Teak planted on the land. If you've ever wanted Caribbean waterfront at a bargain price, good land with exotic tropical fruit and a five-star view, this is it! Twenty minutes from Bocas Town, an hour and a half from Panama City. August/02. Bocas
Del Toro Waterfront Land ~ Waterfront
Land Plus Cashflow ~ Caribbean Land, Teak trees, an exotic tropical
fruit, waterfront property, fifteen minutes from Bocas Town, and the price
is right. My calculation a year ago is that even if the property never
made a nickel the land even by itself was a bargain. Tom took a huge
chunk of land and converted it into a Teak & Noni Plantation.
If someone would have tired to buy a few hundred acres they couldn't have
done it. It was a huge block, over a thousand acres... and while
I haven't walked all thousand acres of it, what I have walked has clearly
gone through some dramatic improvements in one years time. In the
photo below you are seeing an area that was covered with dense tropical
foliage and is now a park-like setting covered with Noni. Put a house there,
a summer retreat, a dock, a house over the water, a fishing retreat, a
survival retreat, or just camp out... When we take into consideration
the price these parcels are selling for it is difficult to ignore this
opportunity. Aug/03
California
Family of Four Follows Its Rainbow To a Remote Island in Panama - Bocas
Del Toro Panama - A Very Hip Place - The hipness of the place is phenomenal.
There is actually a restaurant, called Crawl Key Restaurant, (Or: Kraal
Cay) that is 20 minutes by boat from Bocas town, situated on the southeastern
side of Bastimentos Island, and surrounded by lush mangrove. The island
is in the middle of no place, if one ignores the fact that it is one very
exciting location. April/04
Does Money Grow on Trees? - Growing Teak Wood In Bocas Del Toro, Panama - Panama has many advantages for the investor who chooses trees. Land and labor costs are reasonable. There are few, if any, property taxes to pay. Under Law 24, future profits on logs and lumber are exonerated, as is any sales tax. Money, perhaps, does not really grow on trees, but in Panama many investors are already proving it comes remarkably close. June/02. From Roatan to Bocas: Why we moved from Honduras’ Bay Islands to Caribbean Panama-From Honduras’ Bay Islands to Caribbean Panama - Prices in Bocas right now are below what we found in Roatan when we arrived there in 1994. Its a smart time to buy. We were lucky enough to have been in Roatan for the boom there and see the same dynamic is at work here in Bocas. "Bocas is still at the very earliest stage of development…if you invest now, you will likely double or triple your investment.", "No tropical storm has hit here in the 140 years official records have been kept." by Frank Canale Horses On The Beach And Other Tales Of Living In Paradise - Bocas del Toro, Panama ~ by Cindy Cody - Every morning when I wake up, there’s a different picture outside my sliding glass doors on this lagoon in Bocas del Toro, Panamá. This morning a white mist hovers over a pearl gray sea, like fine mesh. I feel like the Lady of the Lake, floating on top of a cloud in my bed. Then Elvis starts barking. He’s chasing the horses out of the yard again and sounds like he’s on doggie drugs. His bark has the edge of hysteria: GET OUT OF MY YAR YAR YAR YAR YARD! Mar/05 Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro, Republic of Panama ~ Living In Bocas ~ by Allene Blaker - A friend of ours in the States sent us an e-mail recently asking for a one-or two-paragraph description of the Panamanian island where my husband and I live. Seems he was planning to send a character in his novel down here to Bocas del Toro for a while. I wrote John back and said he would have to describe his character first and the reason for the trip. This island can be different things to different people, and everything to some. June/04 Panama Teak Plantation Seminar Announcement - Panama Tropical Farms ~ Teak Wood & Exotic Fruit Goes Beachfront - Teak Wood & Exotic Fruit Goes Beachfront in Panama - The entire Bocas del Toro Teak & Noni project is now sold out. However, Tom McMurrain and the SCLD team have a new project. If you'd like more information on the new project - Tom has designed an investors seminar about his latest project. The Panama Smart Money Wealth Seminar will be held May 21-25. Don't miss out again. Many of the original purchasers of Teak & Noni waterfront plantations have already been offered a premium price over the price they paid just a few months ago. It is obvious that Tom's concept is a winner. March/03 Travel
To Bocas del Toro ~ For
The First Time ~ by Matthew Atlee - I had never visited Bocas del Toro,
though I had been invited on a number of occasions by friends who went
there just about every weekend. I don’t know why, but for some reason I
didn’t want to go and avoided any opportunities to visit. After doing some
research on the history of the Mosquito Coast of which Bocas del Toro is
the southern most point I decided I should go: the history of the place
intrigued me and so on August 13th 2004 I flew to Bocas for the first time.
Aug/04
Looking At Property On Contadora Island ~ Exploring The History And Landscape Of An Island ~ By Matthew Atlee - The Villas at Contadora is a great place to buy an affordable second home. The island is peaceful and private: no hassles here. If you want a hideway in Latin America then this is the place for you. The villas are tucked into a hillside and surrounded by palm trees, bamboo and exotic plantings. The island has nice restaurants and the beaches are clean and private. You want to unwind, then you should visit the Villas At Contadora. April/03
The
Island Of Crete - Dreaming
Of Crete ~ by Marialena Lioulia - Regarding the "Escape from America"
article about affordable vacation places, I was happy to see that Crete
is considered one of them! The family of my mother stems from Crete and
my grandma and aunts and cousins still live there, so I think I can tell
you more about this beautiful island. First of all is a very big place
combining both steep mountain sides and a huge coast line from north to
south. It is divided into four counties, which have four major cities as
capitals, each one with a character of its own. July/04
Winter in Mediterranean Cyprus at a fraction the cost of Greece - Winter in Mediterranean Cyprus at a fraction the cost of Greece - Unlike Greece's Aegean islands, this Mediterranean hot spot enjoys warm winter sunshine. Cyprus stays open for business throughout the year.
Dominica Extreme, Dominica Diving ~ On The Island Of Dominica ~ by Claudia Belleau - I have come to Coconut Beach in Dominica, the Nature Island, volcanically spit and shaped in the Lesser Antilles, to spend Christmas holidays with my spouse Captain Tom. He arrived here on November 20th, delayed by scores of mudslides that blocked passage on cliffside roads. The island suffered the only major earthquake in its history - 6.5 on the Richter scale, the epicenter of the quake was 10 kilometers from the east coast of the island; the quake occurred at 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 21st. Aug./05 The Caribbean’s Best Kept Secret For Expatriates ~ Dominica ~ by Phillip Townsend - The Caribbean is synonymous with hedonism - from the mass tourist Mecca of the Bahamas to the off-the-beaten-path divers' paradise of Bonaire. What you might not know about the Caribbean, however, is that it's also home to one of the most appealing - and inexpensive - expatriate and retirement havens in the world. This little-known gem, though off the well-trodden path taken by most travelers, has a lot to offer. So if you're longing for the good life in a tropical haven, duck the crowds and head to Dominica. Oct./05
Back Door Tax Free Offshore Investing - Back Door Tax Free Offshore Investing - An Anonymous Offshore Brokerage Account - most people do not know that US brokerage accounts titled in the name of a foreign person or entity are exempt from capital gains. As a result, there is no "Tefra" or back-up with- holding on profitable stock trades. Clients of course are required to complete a W-8 form, stating it is a foreign account in order to take advantage of this (if the account is titled directly in the name of offshore structure or foreign client). Becoming a Dominican Resident - Dominican Residency - Dominican residency is a very useful status to acquire for a variety of reasons: 1) It facilitates a number of business transactions in the D.R., including obtaining bank loans, buying real estate and applying for credit; 2) It makes one eligible for lower tuition at Dominican universities; 3) It permits one to work legally in the Dominican Republic; 4) One can take advantage of Law 14-93, Art. 13, and import most household goods duty free. Dominican Domesticity - Come Live the Latin Life in Punta Perla - Dominican Domesticity - Come Live the Latin Life in Punta Perla - As the second largest nation in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola and is roughly the size of Maryland, US. Columbus discovered the island in 1492 looking for a seaway to India. In fact, he like it so much, he decided to stay! The odd thing is, Europeans have been coming ever since, but with less than 20% of the tourists coming from the US, it remains an undiscovered “secret” for Americans. Sept./06 Don't believe the Caribbean hype: affordable beachfront exists - Real Estate in The Dominican Republic - Why the Dominican Republic? - Nova Scotía: Northern exposure may be on its way - Plus Robert Fordi's property pick of the month - Find Housing in the Dominican Republic - Investing in The Dominican Republic - John Schroder has over 15 years experience on Wall Street and currently provides assistance regarding Investment information for the Dominican Republic ( Commercial paper & Certificates of Deposit), Offshore mutual funds, Real Estate and Apartment Referrals, residency assistance, and company representation. Finding Work in the Dominican Republic - Finding Work in the Dominican Republic - Though finding work may seem a difficult task, it is possible to be successful since Dominican employers have a flexible attitude about hiring foreigners who demonstrate particular skills. Experience shows you may eventually find work, or found your own business once you have explored the field for several months. Even if you do not need the money, look for a job. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the local culture and enhance your stay here. Good Deals in Dominican Republic Real Estate By Robert Fordi - Robert Fordi is a highly regarded real estate investment advisor who organizes tour groups to various nations in order to introduce investors to unique real estate bargains. On these tours he shows his groups exactly where the bargains are and introduces his travel companions to his personal real estate contacts in the area. He concentrates on unique locations with interesting real estate potential. Great International Investment Opportunities Beginning at USD 10,000 - Investing in The Dominican Republic - This month, John Schroder of Ascot Advisory Services brings to the table two opportunities for the careful minded investor. The first highlights great interest rates on certificates of deposit in the Dominican Republic. "Current rates for bank CD's range from about 6% up to 10% for a 90-day deposit. Interest is paid monthly and 100% locally tax-free." Currency trading is the focus of the second opportunity. Ascot Advisory Service has found a firm who's record shows above 30.03% return on smaller accounts and 42.98% on larger for a 5 year period. The firm's clearing account is carried with one of the largest banks in Singapore -- one that is rated AA by Moodys rating service. In The Dominican Republic - Touring The DR With An Eye On Investing ~ By Kit Howard - If you are thinking of moving to, or buying real estate in, the Dominican Republic then you will want to connect up with an organization that knows the DR's real estate opportunites. Tropical Pathway Tours knows what areas of the DR you might be interested in buying real estate and what are the steps to buying the real estate you want. In addition, Tropical Pathways Tours can introduce you to people who know the local real estate and business climate within the DR. If you are thinking about moving to the DR, then look into a tour of the DR with Tropical Pathway Tours. March/03 Investment News from the Dominican Republic By John Schroder - John Schroder is an independent Consultant to the Banking & Securities Industry - He is an American Expatriate who escaped from New York's Wall Street and is now living the good life in the Dominican Republic. Life
In The Dominican Republic ~ Quite
A Change After The UK! Part 1 ~ By Malcolm Couch - There are
a lot of people who have asked me lately about what's it like to live in
the Dominican Republic, and from what I understand from those who know
the country well, it is a little tropical paradise with all the good and
bad that you associate with living on a small Caribbean island. The parties
are great, the people friendly and the beaches beautiful. There's always
the problems of traffic and electrical cuts but that's par for the course.
Everyone tells me that in the end you have to love the place just for its
sheer spirit. June/03
Life
In The Dominican Republic ~ Quite
A Change After The UK! Part 2 ~ By Malcolm Couch - This is Part
2 of a series of articles that will give you all the details you need to
move to and live in the DR. This time we learn about food, dancing and
sports as well as visas and shopping. The DR is not only becoming a popular
tourist destination; it is also becoming home to many people from the U.S.
and Europe. If you like sun, beaches and parties, go to the DR. July/03
Life
In The Dominican Republic ~ Quite
A Change After The UK! Part 3 ~
By Malcolm Couch - In Malcolm's third and final article on the DR he looks
at the economy of the country and examines what kinds of things you can
see if you decide to move to or visit the DR. The DR has a lot to offer
to the expatriate who wants to have calm and excitement: if you are thinking
about making a move to the DR make sure to read Part I and II of Malcolm's
series on living in the DR. Aug/03
Live in the Caribbean America hasn't discovered yet - Live in the Caribbean America hasn't discovered yet - If you're looking for a Caribbean retreat easily accessible from North America, where you can buy inexpensive, developed real estate, profit from a booming rental market, enjoy white-sand beaches, and a good infrastructure ... consider the Dominican Republic Moving to the Dominican Republic - Moving to the Dominican Republic - Our opening article on the Dominican Republic. A European secret in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has a tourist ratio of 84% Europeans and 15% North Americans. An easy country to move to and live in, the Dominican Republic contains miles of unspoiled beaches and excellent investment opportunities. “North Americans have been missing the boat”-or, where to find Caribbean bargains - It's harder and harder to find real estate in the Caribbean that isn't overpriced. But there is a place, one of my favorite islands, with an idyllic climate, inviting white sand beaches, and reasonably priced housing and living expenses. It's the Dominican Republic. The D.R., as it's commonly called, is a pleasant surprise for many first time visitors. The people are friendly and hard-working, and the D.R. currently has the best buyers market in the Caribbean... but it won't last forever. by Jerald Ritter Second Passport from the Dominican Republic - Second Passport from the Dominican Republic - Obtaining Residency and a Second Passport from the Dominican Republic - Much less than half of the costs required by other programs, and in fact a much easier process as well. In short, clients have the opportunity to pursue second citizenship from a stable democratic country, at a cost that is downright inexpensive in comparison to some other programs. In addition, should someone wish to retire, live or perhaps start a business in the Dominican Republic, there are a number of attributes that make this country one of the best places for relocation as well. The Caribbean “Country Squire” - Real Estate Bargains In The Dominican Republic - Real Estate in the Dominican Republic - When you think of the Caribbean, you think beaches, beaches, and more beaches. The reality is, plenty of beautiful beachfront property does exist, but there is an equal opportunity to become a “country squire” as well. Sound too good to be true? We took a look around at what was available in the Dominican Republic real estate market recently and found some very reasonably priced building lots and acreage for our clients. Some of these properties are located in the beautiful mountain region near Santiago. We also found some new homes and new residential projects in sections of the Santo Domingo area that may be ideal for an inexpensive get-a-way or retirement home. The Dominican Republic - For many, the country of choice is the Dominican Republic. In comparison to other well-known and path worn Caribbean destinations, the Dominican Republic still remains a place where real estate is extremely affordable, and where the US Dollar stills holds it's value in terms of spending power. For the price of broom-closet sized apartment in the Bahamas, you can have a large lovely home in the Dominican Republic, (a real one.) Additionally, in the Dominican Republic, bank accounts and yields from fixed income investments provide up to 10% in US Dollar accounts and up to 22% interest in the Dominican Peso, (the local currency.) Such income is 100% locally tax - free, which means that the possibilty of living off the interest from your savings is a distinct reality. Read: No Snow, No Taxes, No Problem: Living A Better Life In The Dominican Republic - by John Schroder - March/03 The Dominican Republic Property Market By Jerald Ritter - The Dominican Republic Property Market By Jerald Ritter - Want to live the Caribbean life? Would you like to own a tropical hideaway that could return a nice income? Thinking of investing in the islands? Where are the best values now? Jerald Ritter has lived in and invested in the Caribbean and Latin America for much of the past thirty years. He publishes the Caribbean Property List Magazine, the largest online directory of Caribbean and Latin properties for sale. The North Coast Of The Dominican Republic - The North Coast Of The Dominican Republic - John Schroder, our Dominican Republic Guru recently took a trip along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic and brought back a report. He writes, "We hear that local studio apartments in Cabarete are renting for the equivalent of US$ 225 per month and “regular” apartments for about US $ 400. Also, some property bargains may be found in small farms or properties east of Cabarete in Gaspar Hernandez and the areas on the way to Rio San Juan (possibly less than US$ 20,000 for a small farm or piece of land)." The Passport Question ~ How To Legally Obtain A Second Passport - The most frequently asked question on this website always refers to the issue of obtaining a second passport - It is very apparent that the desire to have a second passport has entered the mainstream of our culture - The cat is out of the bag. -- EscapeArtist editor Roger Gallo tackles the 2nd Passport question. Treasures Of The Silver Coast ~A Guide To The Dominican Republic's North Shore ~ By Carolyn Kelly - The north coast of the Dominican Republic is considered one of the most beautiful coast lines in all the Carribbean. The above article gives tons of details about what to see if you visit the north coast, where to stay, where to eat, and what to do. Never been to the Dominican Republic, but have lots of friends who live there. And they tell me that there is no place like living in the DR; the mix of people and the beauty of the island make it a place people don't want to leave. April/03 Using an Offshore Merchant Account - Using an Offshore Merchant Account - You now can do business with a bank or credit card processor in Germany, Singapore, Holland, or any place else just as easily as "the bank down the road". In fact, nine times out of ten, you will find the level of service to be much better with a bank half way around the world, then you will with your neighborhood bank. Why? They want your business, and they are willing to prove it. The other benefits are obvious. If you intend to be virtual, the best place to begin is by becoming virtual in fact. An offshore merchant account places you in a virtual / offshore jurisdiction with favorable tax consequences. Want to Really "Escape"? Start Your Own Tax Free Small Business - by John Schroder - If it is going to be said that the location of our web site or server is a factor, let us then 'host' our web page or server in a location that could either care less, or offers a tax-free status by law. Placing your web site on a server located in one of the tax free zones in the Dominican Republic would be one idea. If the argument is that you may have a tax liability based upon where your "office" is located, then place your office inside one of the tax-free zones as well
Living and Working in Fiji - Living & Working In Fiji - When I was reseaching an island to move to, Fiji kept popping up in the top five for cost of living, quality of life and friendliness of the people. But living in L.A. at the time, I knew I wanted a slower pace. To be on island time. Living in Fiji - Island Fever - Living in Fiji - Island Fever - We had this crazy dream. It’s a common one … a captivating one even. But one that was, for most people, but a dream. Pack up and take to live on a the South Pacific island. Splendid islands that seem to float, adrift, on impossibly blue seas. Places of paradise untouched by the ravages of industrial man. For us, this is a dream we dream while we are awake. April/06 Unique Real Estate - Island For Sale - The Island Of No Change - Unique Real Estate - Island For Sale - The Island Of No Change ~ Honesty prevailed over emotion, and I conceded with great sadness that I would have to sell. There just was not enough potential pasture area for raising dairy cows, or to fulfill my desire to cultivate hundreds of exotic fruit trees. Most of the island is quite steep and covered with mature giant hardwoods such as Amoghis, Natuk, and Nara. Altogether I found maybe twenty acres that could be put to agricultural use and I needed much more than that. By Sophia Bain Sept./05
The Mediterranean Islands Of Malta And Gozo ~ Exploring History ~ by Jörg M. Unger - The Republic of Malta lies only forty nautical miles south of Sicily at the 36th degree of latitude – almost the same like Monterey, California, or Nashville, Tennessee. Up to the Ice Age, the islands were part of a land bridge between Italy and North Africa that was flooded when the ice began to melt. Since then the waters of the Mediterranean sea have shaped Malta’s coastline and created a fascinating scenery. Because of the island’s strategic position north of Africa’s shoreline, it attracted numerous kings and emperors with their warriors and legions in the antiquity, as well as the Knights of St. John in medieval times. April/05
Living On A Greek Island - Not a Greek Myth - by Terry Lichtenstein "Once in Greece, all five senses are stretched to their limit. It’s something you want to experience again and again. It’s something you wish for everyday, consciously and subconsciously. It’s a feeling you never forget, and you never want to. It’s something that motivates you to continue to live and breathe and feel. It’s what is Greece." Meta Avrio on the Island of Rhodes ~ Learning to Go with the Flow ~ Bureaucracy can be annoying. In Greece, they have raised it to an art form - Greek bureaucracy - It will be sunny tomorrow on the Island of Rhodes. Great weather. Rhodes has over 300 days of sunshine per year. You want friendly people, reasonable prices, affordable housing, easy access, good health care, and minimum bureaucracy. "Rhodes has all of these except the last," says Ron Ron Ferguson who lived there for seven years. Property Picks: A cottage in the Greek Islands…a 7-acre country estate in Costa Rica…a house on the Indian Ocean for $90,000 - My favorite Greek Island. Dazzlingly white-stucco villas and all those pretty traditional village houses with their sapphire-blue shutters are an indelible image of the Greek islands. It’s no wonder that visitors dream of living here. Yet the Greek islands aren’t at all overrun with foreign buyers. Why? There are two reasons: The first is the climate. Despite all those enticing picture-postcard images, the Aegean doesn’t enjoy endless summer. Come mid-November, many islanders set sail for the mainland. Those who haven’t left are battening down the hatches and preparing for four months of storms, rain, and disrupted ferry schedules. Entertainment is almost non-existent, and there’s very little to do except develop an Ouzo habit. by Steenie Harvey Teaching English in the lazy paradise of Crete - Teaching English in the lazy paradise of Crete - Escapeartist Christopher Deliso writes, "When I came to Crete to live I had no idea how different it would be from the rest of Greece. While I had traveled widely in Greece, and had many Greek friends, I had never met a Cretan. I was warned by the mainlander Greeks that Cretans were a little bit dangerous -- ornery, quarrelsome, vindictive and boorish. Happily, these stereotypes weren’t true at all -- rather, the people I met during the course of a year were, like my kindly hosts near Amari, very friendly, curious, and hospitable. The relaxed Cretan lifestyle is well-geared towards those who enjoy sipping coffee in an outdoor café as the hours lazily pass, or sleeping in the shade of a palm beach." The Fun Lovers Guide to IOS - One of the Rockin' Greek Isles - The beautiful Greek islands, synonymous with the pursuit of wisdom, the birthplace of democracy, the evolvement of language. It is a country drenched in historical profundity. Great builders, great thinkers, (great lamb!) . . . everything you'd ever want, and then there’s IOS. The village center in Chora, is where it all starts, and it doesn’t even get GOING until midnight where the remarkably peaceful and clean nucleus transforms into an all night rave filled with song and dance.
Isla
Grande ~ The
Lost Sides Of Isla Grande ~ by Matthew Atlee - If you are headed to
Panama for the 100 year anniversary of the founding of Panama, then be
sure to check out Isla Grande. The island has always been a favorite vacation
spot for Panamanians and foreigners. The island has a deep history going
back to Colombus and the natural beauty and history of the island makes
it a great place to relax, have a break and just sit back and enjoy some
good clean fun. Hope you visit Isla Grande on your way through Panama.
Sept./03
Beaches Of Margarita Island - Venezulean Beauty ~ by Scott Boswell - The huge birdcage at the entrance - 8 feet high and large enough to hold about six standing people and looks like a medieval torture chamber. One sassy parrot greets visitors in several languages, his less gregarious cage-mates just do the parrot thing. That’s the first thing you notice at Jak’s, a rustic restaurant down by the marina at Playa Concorde. It’s in an adobe colored building just at the water’s edge, about 20’x35’ with a shed-type patio alongside, 100 yards from the marina and near the dinghy dock the cruisers use to get to and from their boats anchored out in the bay. May/05 Christmas & New Year On Margarita Island ~ Tropical Holiday ~ by Scott Boswell - Just as in most of the rest of the world, the colored lights are strung along the the major roadways, houses are decorated, and stores are abundantly stocked in anticipation of the shopping frenzy. Homes are repaired, painted, and ‘spruced up’ to be ready for all the visiting friends and relatives, and parties are everywhere! In my neighborhood alone one house had 24 cars parked around it! Jan./06 Isla Margarita Revisited ~ Travels In The Caribbean ~ by Karl Ike - After my article that was published in Escape Artist, I got a landslide by faithful readers EA who inquired as to what I had found on this beautiful Caribbean island south of Caracas. As a result, I had a 10 day reunion with a handful of inquiring minds that couldn’t wait to discover Margarita Island Venezuela. If you don’t want beautiful beaches, affordable living, wonderful weather, this place is not for you. Aug./05 Live On Margarita Island On $800 A Month? - Answers To Questions ~ by Scott Boswell - Retire to the Caribbean on $800 a Month? ...is this a true story or fiction? There have been several articles published about Margarita Island, Venezuela in the last few months. (Margarita Island is located in the Southern Caribbean, just off the northern coast of Venezuela - it is the State of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela). One such article suggested that you could retire to this island on $800 a month. Mar/05 Living
on Isla Margarita, Venezuela ~The
Essentials ~ By Daniel O'Brien - This article is very informative because
it gives you the kinds of hard details that you need to know before moving
to a country. And in the case of Venezuela right now that is important.
Daniel O'Brien moved with his wife from Canada to Isla Margarita in the
1980s, so he knows what it takes to set up shop on the island. The island
is connected to Venezuela, but experiences little of the political problems
that face the mainland. People from Colombia and Panama tell me that Isla
Margarita is one of their favorite beach resorts and looking at the pictures
I can see why. June/03
Margarita: Mr Butcher - Margarita: Mr Butcher - Here’s the thing that makes this story worth telling. How many times have we run into a Spanish speaker in America who was struggling to convey a message and we simply got frustrated and thought to ourselves…if they are going to be in America they should learn to speak the language! Jul/06 Margarita: The Cook's Tale - Margarita: The Cook's Tale - Needless to say I was floored by the quality of this food and the prices. I really hadn’t noticed until now. I had always done my guestimates of prices, which gets me pretty close, but until you get the old calculator down and really crunch the numbers it just doesn’t hit home. Jun/06 Margarita Island ~ Cheapest Vacation Spot In The Caribbean ~ by Scott Boswell - There are actually three islands - Margarita, Coche, and Cubagua, with Margarita being the largest and most populous of the three. Isla Coche is sparsely populated and very popular with sun worshippers because of it’s beaches and beautiful water. There are a few hotels, B&B’s, and restaurants. Cubagua is almost totally uninhabited and is perfect for exploring, snorkeling and diving. Jun/05 Margarita Island: A Woman’s Point of View - Margarita Island: A Woman’s Point of View - This island is beautiful-warm and inviting like the people. The Margaritans genuinely care about our perception of their island and are wonderfully welcoming and hospitable. We have been looked after by both natives and fellow adventurers and whilst this place isn’t for everyone, everyone is welcome. By Cindie Baxter May/06 Margarita Island Free Medical Care ~More From Margarita Island, Venezuela ~ by Scott Boswell - We’re both fortunately pretty healthy, but a few months back we were roaming around the island playing ‘tourist’ and KC, my significant other, stepped wrong and hurt her foot. I took her to a hospital that was close by. It was clean, efficient and a very nice doctor saw her immediately, examined her foot, ordered two x-rays and diagnosed a sprain. He also wrote a prescription for arch supports to help give her more stability in future and told us where to order them. Oct./05 Paradise For Pennies ~ Vacation To Isla Margarita ~ by Jean E. Middleswarth - It’s all true! Those folks who’ve found their mecca on Isla Margarita, and have shared their thoughts with you, tell it like it is! Gentle tropical breezes, the azure blue Caribbean, exquisite views, fun of all types, friendly and welcoming people. And, with the current exchange rate, all for pennies a day! After a most memorable vacation, this is definitely my Paradise for vacations to come! I figured it out. My week in Isla Margarita cost me less than a week at Myrtle Beach, SC! How did I do it? Oct./05 Prices On Margarita Island ~ The Most Inexpensive Spot In The Caribbean ~ by Scott Boswell - In recent articles for Escape From America I’ve been telling people that Margarita Island is probably the cheapest place to vacation or live in all of the Caribbean. The one possible exception I thought might be the Dominican Republic. I just received an e-mail from a couple who want to come see Margarita Island and who are currently living in the D.R. I asked them why they were thinking of moving, and to my surprise their reply was - Nov./05 Retiring to Paradise ~More On Margarita Island ~ by Mike Inglis - After spending 7 days on Margarita Island, Venezuela, I can say, this is where I will semi-retire, sooner rather than later. I enjoyed virtually everything about this delightful island some call the Pearl of the Caribbean. It is famous for oysters, seafood, and fresh fish, etc., etc. Venezuela has allowed this island to be 100% duty free. On a fixed income(social security for example) anyone can afford to live here. And when I say live, I mean live and enjoy life and not just squeak by as many of us will have to do once we retire. You only need to have an income of $1200 to actually be considered for residency. April/05 Three Christmases On A Caribbean Island ~ Many Changes ~ by Scott Boswell - Approaching my third Christmas season on Isla Margarita, I find I’ve seen and done a lot. There have been many changes on the island since I first arrived here. Then, Venezuela was in a state of political turmoil. Prices were down and many wealthy locals were leaving the country. They were afraid of what might happen, but no one I talked could tell me exactly what that might be. Just that they didn’t like the political situation. Since I hated current administration in the U.S.A. and after looking over the possibilities here, I decided it was a good time to buy. Dec./05 What Don’t We Have On Margarita Island? ~ More On Living In The Caribbean ~ by Scott Boswell - “We got sunlight on the sand, we got moonlight on the sea, we got mangoes and bananas you can pick right off the tree” and we got dames...everywhere you look there are beautiful women! (to mangle a phrase from the musical “South Pacific”) We also have some of the finest shopping in the Caribbean. The largest mall in Latin America and ultra-modern supermarkets. Jul/05 Working In Paradise ~ Hot Dogs To Charter Boats ~ by Scott Boswell - Since I’ve been writing for Escape From America I’ve gotten lots of e-mails from people wanting to “get out of Dodge”...i.e., leave the United States. Many of them haven’t reached retirement age and have asked if they can get work here on Margarita Island - often they don’t include any information about their skills, present employment, trade, no other information, just “can I get a job there?” Naturally, I couldn’t answer their questions. Aug./05
Living On An Island In Panama - Realizing A Dream ~ Living On A Island In Panama - Isla Taboga, like many of Panama’s islands, is a city boy’s answer to island living. Fourteen miles off the coast of Panama City, within sight of the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, Tabogans are never far from the amenities and services of the most metropolitan city in the Americas between Mexico City and Caracas, Venezuela. It’s only a one-hour ferry ride to the city, and the boats depart the Tabogan pier four times a day. I’m a commuter. Living On Isla Taboga: A Day in the Life ~ Including Panama City, the Old Canal Zone, FSU Panama, Friends, Fishing, Real Estate, and much much more - Living on Isla Taboga - Escape from America Magazine editor Charlie McElroy tells us what a day on Taboga is like. It's not an ordinary day, no day is an ordinary day on the Island of Flowers. Wake with him to another brilliant sunrise and follow him throughout his day. The five pages of this article let you get to know Taboga and Panama like you've never known it before. Lots of images of the life of a Tabogano. Replicating Cinema Paradiso or Resurrecting Isla Taboga's Bakery - In the previous issue of Escape From America Magazine, I introduced our readers to Isla Taboga in two articles entitled, The Road to Charlie’s Houseand Discovering Panamania - Living On An Iland In Panama - Realizing A Dream. In review, Isla Taboga is a small island about 10 miles in circumference located 14 miles from the Panamanian mainland and bustling Panama City. That makes it a city boy’s dream come true – island escape within an hour’s ferry ride to a big metropolis. The question of what to do with our property still persists, but not because it’s hard to find an answer. The island is still there in its pristine splendor, and we're having fun dreaming. Here are some of our ideas... Taboga Island ( Isla Taboga ) & Casco Viejo Revisited - Taboga Island ( Isla Taboga ) & Casco Viejo Revisited - Casco Viejo & Taboga Town on Isla Taboga - The Oldest Pacific Coast Cities in the Americas are going to be revisited in two photo-essay articles for readers. Written by Escape From America Magazine Editor Charley McElroy, who lives on Isla Taboga and Roger Gallo who lives a few miles from Casco Viejo. This is something you don't want to miss! The Road To Charlie's House - Living On An Island ~ Isla Taboga - Sea breezes circulate through the open shutters facing the sea. The opposite end of the house has veranda-like balconies that hang over the street. The verandas provide a restful place to sit and view the village with its narrow winding footpaths and colonial architecture. The village is nestled against a lush green tropical hillside and the footpaths meanander like a labyrinth up through the village and into the surrounding jungle. The house also has a basement floor which leads out into a garden at the rear of the house. In the garden there are lemon and orange trees as well as the ancient foundations of a long forgotten structure, the stone remains of which stick up through the riot of bougainvillea, jasmine and wild hibiscus and give an effect like that of an abandoned sculpture garden gone crazy with flowers.
Community
Tourism On Jamaica’s Southwest Coast - Vacation
Alternatives For The Adventuresome Traveler ~ by
Brendan Fletcher - Most people think that visiting Jamaica means overcrowded
beaches and violence. But this is not so. Brendan takes us out to some
little known areas of Jamaica and gives us a feel of what it's like to
travel in Jamaica far from the normal tourist destinations. Oct./03
From Mobay To Negril ~ One Town At A Time ~ by John Casey - Before we begin our drive to Negril, there are a few things I want to point out. The highway we are going to be traveling is, officially, "A1." This highway actually runs between Kingston and Negril, the long way around. A few other names for this road are North Coast Highway which runs along the North Coast, and Highway 2000. It starts in Ocho Rios and ends in Negril. It is completed from Mobay to Negril but still several years from completion to Ocho Rios. Oct./05
An
Island With Sapphire Fever ~ Madagascar's
Hidden Wealth ~ by Rabenilaina Harinia Cyrille - Excellent article
about the history of gold and sapphire exploration in the north of Madagascar.
The above article examines the atmosphere at the sapphire pits and talks
a little about the history of Diego Suarez - a northern port town that
is said to have a bay as beautiful as Rio de Janiero's. Sept./03
Antananarivo
~ The
City Of A Thousand Warriors - Madagascar's Capital ~ By Rabenilaina
Harinia Cyrille - Some great photos of Madagascar and Ansirabe in the above
article. If you go to Madagascar you must check out the wonderful markets
on Friday. There you can buy handicrafts and fine goods that can be found
nowhere else in the world. There are some great hotels to stay at in Antananarivo
and Ansirabe and the views of the surrounding lakes and plains is stunning.
You should take a tour or the train from Antananarivo to Ansirabe and make
sure to walk in the blue forest above Antananarivo. July/03
Humpback
Whales Around Sainte Marie Island ~ In
Madagascar ~ by Rabenilaina Harinia Cyrille - From Toamasina, Nosy
Boraha or - Tamatave in French, and about 370 km from Antananarivo -
is one of the most important ports on the East Coast of Madagascar, from
this port town you can easily reach Sainte Marie Island by boat or by plane.
The island is also called Nosy Mbavy, that translantes into “the women’s
island”. June/04
In
The South Of Madagascar ~ Among
The Harsh Beauty Of Isalo ~ By Rabenilaina Harinia Cyrille - The south
of Madagascar is blessed with great beauty and that is nowhere more evident
than in Islao National Park. There are animals and vegetation that can
be only seen in the Park. There are hidden pools and jagged rocks. Old
hotels and brilliant sunsets and walks through the moonlight. Time to go.
June/03
Living In The Comoros Islands ~ The World Between Madagascar And Mozambique ~ By Martin And Harriet Ottenheimer - The Comoros Islands are little known: they are squeezed between Madagascar and Mozambique. They are known to many people as the "perfume islands" because of the exotic flowers that grow on the island which are used in making French perfume. Might be place to visit and soon. May/03 Nosy Be - The Little Great Island In The North Of Madagascar ~ by Rabenilaina Harinia Cyrille - Nosy Be, situated in the North of Madagascar, in the Mozambique Canal Waters. This great island has been granted several nicknames in the course of centuries. The most relevant of those nicknames seems to be “Nosy Manitra” (the scented island in Malagasy). Getting down from the plane in Fascene airport, you will feel the ylang ylang, frangipani tree, coffee, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar cane balmy fragrances are almost being aggressive towards you. March/04 The
Tsingy Of Belo Sur Tsiribihina And The Royal Bath ~In
Madagascar ~ by Rabenilaina Harinia Cyrille - Nia takes us to the south
of Madagascar where tradtions run deep. The landscape and people are magical
and there is plenty to see and do. If you're thinking about visiting Madagascar
be sure to drop a Nia a line; he would be the perfect person to talk to
about planning a trip to the "red island". Nov./03
Micronesia
~ Paradise
~ by Bob Arthur - If you want to be ahead of the crowd - find out where
Micronesia is. Between Hawaii and Guam, Micronesia is still one of the
few remaining paradises in the world. Because there are few visitors, the
island and lagoon are pristine. You won't believe the island or the healthy
reef until you see for yourself. June/04
Luxury Sporting Lodge For Sale in New Zealand - Luxury Sporting Lodge For Sale in New Zealand - A Thumb-Nail Sketch Of A Unique Property - After eleven years of successful operation as a unique, world renowned sporting lodge, and much soul searching, the owners have decided to offer this exclusive estate for sale... When Mick Mason told us about it, we decided to feature it as a sort of thumb-nail sketch in the Quarterly. Migrating to New Zealand - Immigration Tips for New Zealand - Migrating to New Zealand - Want to move to a New Zealand? In this long awaited article, Roger Gallo talks with Kim Saull of Malcolm Pacific International, a well known immigration consultancy in Aukland, New Zealand. The advice given doesn't pull any punches, only the qualified need apply. |
